Second that, Ataturk; The problem is that CE/BCE are mandated, not optional, so too is gender neutral language. I've lost marks for calling God a "he" in a philosophy of religion course... Bit silly really.

At my bastion of liberal learning, I've been docked entire letter grades for using "BC" and "AD"

I would, in all seriousness, take this up to higher authorities. Make a fuss. That's ridiculous. While I'm definitely liberal, I abhor the idea of trying to force one's own agendas on a class. That's not the point of education.

The idea that a student would be docked an entire letter grade for using proper terminology is shocking. This sounds like indoctrination more than education. If you encounter more of this thought control, I encourage you to contact your elected representatives and write about your experience in the paper. Wait until you graduate if you have to, but do it.

Of all the silly things, this may be the silliest. They could have at least picked a new year zero so as to seem something other than bitter people trying to make a political point.

Doesn't the whole idea of a universal zero-point for counting time (this zero-point presumably being an historically significant event) smack of hegemonistic narratives? Maybe our pluralistic culture demands pluralistic ways of counting time. Christians can count time forward from Christ's birth, atheists can count time forward from the day Ludwig Feuerbach got bitten by a mosquito, and Neo can count time forward from the day Justin broke up with Britney.